The sample temperature regulator is provided with a heating block (3) having a sample container holder (6) and a temperature-controllable heater (7) and with a cooling block (4) having a cooling mechanism (11). These two blocks are combined with each other through a connecting plate (15) made of a material having a thermal conductivity lower than those of these blocks. This constitution can reduce heat transfer between the heating block and the cooling block and allows them to have wide temperature regulating ranges, as well as increased heating capacity and cooling capacity, respectively. Further, this constitution makes the structure of the temperature regulator simple and compact, so that the regulator has increased durability and can be offered at a low price.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A sample temperature regulator comprising: a heating block having a sample container holder and a temperature-controllable heater; a cooling block having a cooling mechanism; and a connecting plate for combining the heating block and the cooling block with each other; wherein the connecting plate is made of a material having a thermal conductivity lower than those of these two blocks; and a refluxing block extending from said cooling block which is brought into contact with an upper part of a sample container seated in said heating block.
2. The sample temperature regulator according to claim 1 , wherein the cooling block is combined with a plurality of heating blocks.
3. The sample temperature regulator according to claim 1 , wherein the heating block has a temperature sensor.
4. A sample temperature regulator comprising: a plurality of heating blocks each having a holding hole for holding a sample container on the upper surface thereof; a cooling block having a cooling mechanism; and a plurality of connecting plates made of a material having a thermal conductivity lower than those of the blocks; wherein a face of each heating block is respectively connected with a face of the cooling block through each connecting plate, each heating block being equipped with a heater on a face opposite to the face where the cooling block is connected, and a temperature sensor; and the heater and the sensor are connected to a temperature controller, so that the controller can control the temperature of the heater based on the temperature detected by the sensor.
5. A sample temperature regulator as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the cooling block is in the form of a square column; wherein a side face of each heating block is respectively connected with a longitudinal side face of the cooling block through each connecting plate; and wherein the sensor is in the form of a temperature-detecting cartridge sensor inserted into a socket for attachment.
6. A sample temperature regulator according to any preceding claim, wherein the cooling block is provided with a plurality of refluxing blocks, one of them for each heating block, wherein each refluxing block contains a prop removably set to stand on the cooling block and an arm protruding from the top of the prop above the heating block to be brought into contact with the upper part of the sample container.
7. A sample temperature regulator according to claim 6 , wherein the cooling mechanism is comprised of a circulating passage containing a refrigerant channel defined longitudinally through the cooling block; an antifreeze cooling unit; a pipe connecting the antifreeze cooling unit to an inlet of the refrigerant channel through a circulating pump; and a pipe connecting an outlet of the refrigerant channel to the antifreeze cooling unit.
8. A sample temperature regulator according to any of claims 4 to 5 , wherein the cooling mechanism is comprised of a circulating passage containing a metal pipe with a closed end fitted in a through hole formed in the longitudinal direction in the cooling block; a refrigerant injecting pipe inserted into the metal pipe through its opening to the closed end of the pipe; a vapor refrigerant cooling unit; a pipe connecting the vapor refrigerant cooling unit to the refrigerant injecting pipe; and a pipe connecting the opening of the metal pipe to the vapor refrigerant cooling unit.
9. A sample temperature regulator according to any of claims 4 to 5 , wherein the cooling mechanism contains a refrigerant channel defined longitudinally through the cooling block; a low-temperature vapor refrigerant generator; a pipe connecting a heating section of the low-temperature vapor refrigerant generator to an inlet of the refrigerant channel; and an exhaust pipe connected to an outlet of the refrigerant channel.
10. A sample temperature regulator according to any of claims 4 to 5 , wherein the cooling mechanism is a Peltier device connected to the side of the cooling block, formed as a solid body, opposite to the side attaching to the heating block, and the Peltier device is connected to the cooling block with a cooling side which performs cooling by energization.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
November 24, 2000
January 24, 2006
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